Dave joined 1 squadron in April 1943 during the final phase of the North African campaign. He flew 14 operational sorties with Spitfire V's stationed in Tunisia.
The squadron moved to Malta and then Sicily. They participated with the invasion and campaign in Sicily. Dave flew mainly escorts and armed- and shipping patrols. They occasionally encountered enemy aircraft but not very often. In one such occasion in September 1943 Dave's engine blew and he bailed successfully, landing in the sea at Messina straights. He was rescued by a navy ship and arrived at the squadron the following day.
1 Squadron moved into Italy in late 1943. Here the squadron carried on to fly bomber escorts, armed patrols, shipping patrols, weather recce's, etc. On 19 March 1944 Dave shot down a Focke Wulf 190.
The squadron commanders were Moody, Hannes Faure and Johnny Seccombe when Dave was was there.
Dave reached his 200 operational hours in April 1944 with 150 operational sorties flown. He was then sent back to South Africa.
Video where Dave is telling how he bailed from a burning Spitfire, nearly lost his life.
Video where Dave is telling how he dealt with a snake in the cockpit.
Video on how Dave shot down a German FW-190
1 Squadron pilots in Sicily with OC Hannes Faure
Standing L.R. Labby Labistour (armament officer), C E Martin, M Vialls, Lippy Lipawsky, J van Nus, J Seccombe, A Higgo, Hannes Faure, R L Cherrington.
Front row: Dave Hastie, W D Wickner
Rear L.R. : W H Greeff, G W Hillary, G T van der Veen, F A Montanari, H T Hall, B Trotter, E Drummond
Front row: W M Langerman, T R Fryer, Cecil Golding
Message from ground troops to Dave after he shot down the Fw 190 above them. Looks like a captain from the 10th Hussars.
